straight axle swap
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straight axle swap
i have a 97 f150 4x4 with a 4.2. i am very interested in doing a striaght axle swap and i was wondering if anyone here has done one or has any info about one. i have already done a gear swap form the 3.55 to 4.56 and i was hoping i could use the gears still in the front if not that is fine. i would like to do this axle swap but money is the big thing so does anyone know the most inexpensive way or anyway for that matter? thanks Chad
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From: South Kitsap County, WA
The axle up front is a reverse cut 8.8, I doubt if you'll be able to reuse those gears. The Fabtech SAS kit uses a DANA 44 or 60, and it's very pricey. As far as I know the Fabtech kit is the only off the shelf SAS kit available right now for the '97-'03 F150s.
As Pro stated, do a search, we've done some hashing on this and I think someone is trying to do an SAS without buying the kit.
-Kerry
As Pro stated, do a search, we've done some hashing on this and I think someone is trying to do an SAS without buying the kit.
-Kerry
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The gears you have now will not fit that axle and there is no cheap way to acomplish a SAS although a 44 swap is much cheaper than a 60 swap. also with the fabtech kit lifts your truck a minimum of 8". you can buy an axle and set it up with radius arms but you will have to do alot of very major cutting and welding with the less lift you do. the swap is a very good idea if you are doing lots of 4wheelin if you dont then it isnt a good idea
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From: Pittsburgh
If you want ideas start looking at guys that are doing swaps on chevy K trucks. They have the same a-arm IFS as the 97+ fords, but have been around for 10 years more. More people have played with them and got them to work. You'll find that going leaf sprung will most likely be your best bet because of the way everything is shaped
Justin
Justin
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From: Coutts Canada
If you are a good metal worker/fabricater you can do this project for the price of the steel and shocks/springs. The easiest way to do this swap is to get an old ford 1/2 ton (76-79 would be the best). Then completely dissamble the front end of your truck, and i mean everything, a-arms, torison bars, center section and diff, etc so that there is nothing left up there. Then take the complete front end (springs, shocks, trac bar, radius arms) and remove all the brackets that connect everything as well, (radius arm bracks on the frame, trac bar bracket, etc) out of that truck and roll it underneath your truck. Then set the truck where your want it to sit (remember to accomadate for the truck settling the springs up front) and then fab everything up to work beening very careful making sure everything is straight and true. Essientaily doing it this way would be the same as buying the fabtech kit, but you also get the benefit of the the 9" rear diff, and if you want rear disc's i can help you out with a near bolt on way cause i am in the process of doing the exact same swap on my flareside)
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From: Marysville Wa
but doesnt 97- use the metric BP? so you couldnt use any old 5lug axle without swapping out the rear also right? (or run different rims and spares) or was it a later cutoff date? but yeah Fabtech kits are a wast of money, you could gather all the parts needed for just the price of the arms and brackets the kit gives you, all that you really need to fab is a trackbar mount, everything else will just bolt on. Or if you want to go leafsprings up front, thats a whole different story, have fun!
(PS, i picked the leafspring route and it works great!)
(PS, i picked the leafspring route and it works great!)
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From: Coutts Canada
Yeah they do, but if i was going to take the time to do it the way i said i would take the extra day and swap in the 9" rear and that one would have more options for gears and lockers. But i would stick with coils cause you will get a better ride if the truck is used for a daily driver of sorts.
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